According to the FIA, it "represents a vision for the future of the motor industry over the coming decades, serving as a framework for R&D (research and development) around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting sustainability".

Four-time Formula One champion Prost is the co-founder of the e.dams Renaut team, one of the inaugural Formula E outfits, which has his son, Nicolas Prost, as one of its drivers.

Speaking at the global launch of the new championship at London's Round House, Alain Prost said: "This week's test at (England's) Donington Park will be followed by a busy summer in order to be ready and competitive for the first ePrix in Beijing on September 13.

"It is an enormous challenge because this championship is completely new, both in terms of the technology it features and also the race formats. These are very exciting times."

It was announced on Monday that Battersea Park in south London would be the venue for the season finale on June 27 next year.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "The atmosphere will quite literally be electric ... hosting this championship final of this all-electric race is a fantastic feather in our city's sporting cap.

"It shows that there is great confidence in London's ability to stage the biggest and best global sporting events."